use (n.)

  1. the act of using; he warned against the use of narcotic drugs; skilled in the utilization of computers

    [ Syn: usage , utilization , utilisation , employment , exercise ]

  2. what something is used for; the function of an auger is to bore holes; ballet is beautiful but what use is it?

    [ Syn: function , purpose , role ]

  3. a particular service; he put his knowledge to good use; patrons have their uses'

  4. (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing; the consumption of energy has increased steadily

    [ Syn: consumption , economic consumption , usance , use of goods and services ]

  5. (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; owls have nocturnal habits; she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair; long use had hardened him to it

    [ Syn: habit ]

  6. exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for ones own advantage; his manipulation of his friends was scandalous

    [ Syn: manipulation ]

  7. (law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property; we were given the use of his boat

    [ Syn: enjoyment ]

    use (v.)

  1. put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; use your head!; we only use Spanish at home; I cant use this tool; Apply a magnetic field here; This thinking was applied to many projects; How do you utilize this tool?; I apply this rule to get good results; use the plastic bags to store the food; He doesnt know how to use a computer

    [ Syn: utilize , utilise , apply , employ ]

  2. take or consume (regularly or habitually); She uses drugs rarely

    [ Syn: habituate ]

  3. use up, consume fully; The legislature expended its time on school questions

    [ Syn: expend ]

  4. seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage; She uses her influential friends to get jobs; The president's wife used her good connections'

  5. avail oneself to; apply a principle; practice a religion; use care when going down the stairs; use your common sense; practice non-violent resistance

    [ Syn: practice , apply ]

  6. habitually do something (use only in the past tense); She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally; I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall; They used to vacation in the Bahamas'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.